Jared Goldwire, a sophomore defensive tackle for Louisville, received offers from Miami, Alabama and Oklahoma before deciding to go with the Cardinals in January. He attended Fort Scott Community College prior to that.(Photo: Matt Stone, Courier Journal)Buy Photo

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When Jared Goldwire became one of the top junior-college defensive tackle prospects in the class of 2018, he could have gone to a number of schools. He chose Louisville because the Cardinals had a glaring need for bodies like his that could step into the rotation right away.

But then Goldwire showed up, and his trajectory hit a wall. Doctors discovered a torn labrum in his shoulder that went undetected during Goldwire’s one season at Fort Scott Community College.

Louisville wanted defensive linemen who could help them immediately. Goldwire wanted to help immediately. Instead, he stayed on the sideline all spring.

Or, if you ask defensive line coach L.D. Scott: “He paid attention in the spring. … He’s learning a lot, and that’s what really surprised us.”

Goldwire is now ready to contribute. He is 6-foot-6, almost 300 pounds, smart and healthy, all the qualities Louisville needs as it rebuilds its defensive line.

The coaching staff sought bigger bodies to help stop the run after Louisville finished 63rd in rush defense last season. The line was losing two starting tackles, Drew Bailey and De’Asian Richardson. Goldwire was a hot commodity, the No. 43 overall junior-college prospect according to 247sports.com’s composite rankings.

“We were really happy when we signed him,” head coach Bobby Petrino said. “We had to work extremely hard to get him. There were some late runs really put in there, and he got here and he had a shoulder. … His strength started getting better all summer long. He’s got great size and movement. So it’s good to see him out there.”

In the spring, when he was nursing the injury, Goldwire’s weight inched up to the area of 318-320 pounds. He now says he’s back down to the 290-295 range, which still leaves him one of Louisville’s bigger defenders.

“Striking is good, and movement as well,” Goldwire said. “So I feel great.”

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Louisville's Defensive line coach LD Scott says they have to stop the run
Matt Stone, Louisville Courier Journal

Goldwire said he’s working with the first team, along with fellow 2018 junior-college transfer Mike Boykin. Those two are examples of what Louisville sought to add to the defensive line. One or both could run out for the first snap on defense against Alabama.

When Goldwire talked about his goals Thursday after practice, he spoke not in terms of improvement and competition but in tackles and sacks. That’s the difference between the two junior-college additions and some true freshmen linemen, often candidates to redshirt.

Scott said the only established spot on the defensive line is the one filled by captain Jonathan Greenard. The rest are available to the newcomers.

“I’m trying to get my name out to the NFL right now,” Goldwire said.

Now healed from his injury, Goldwire has caught the eyes of multiple players and coaches in Louisville’s first few practices of the fall.

“He’s very, very physical, a guy who’s put in a lot of work this summer,” offensive lineman Linwood Foy said Tuesday. “He’s strong. He’s aggressive. I like his energy. I like his motor. He’s fast, he’s quick, he goes and goes and goes.”